“That’s exactly what our goal was, to start a new season in the region,” said Nation Ford coach Michael Allen. “To be 1-0 (in the region) goes a long way. It beats the heck out of 0-1.”

The teams traded blows in a crazy first half. Nick Sciba started the scoring for Clover with a 28-yard field goal on the Blue Eagles’ first drive. Nation Ford quickly answered with a Nathan Mahaffey 33-yard touchdown scamper. A Semaj Lakin eight-yard run on the ensuing drive gave Clover back the lead at 10-7.

The Blue Eagles held the Falcons at bay on their first second-quarter drive, but the next two drives for the home side resulted in scores. A blocked Clover punt left Nation Ford with a short field, on which quarterback Ben Tuipulotu captured, marching in from eight yards to put the Falcons ahead 14-10. A Carter Richardson 27-yard kick at the half gave the Falcons a 17-10 halftime lead.

The back-and-forth slugfest continued in the second half, with the teams trading touchdowns in the third quarter The game changed complexion several times. Clover posted a four-plus minute drive in the

third, methodically leading the Blue Eagles down the field, capped by Lakin’s three-yard plunge which tied the contest at 24. That tie lasted all of one play, as Mahaffey took a pitch and sprinted 80 yards to paydirt, putting the Falcons back in front, 31-24.

Nick Sciba kicked a 33-yard field goal as the fourth quarter started. Nation Ford (3-3, 1-0 Region 4-5A) then thwarted a Clover drive that could have put the Blue Eagles in the lead, providing the game’s final margin.

Clover (3-3, 0-1) trailed by four as the six-minute mark neared in the final period. The Blue Eagles were driving and appeared set to cross midfield, before a forced fumble by Nation Ford was scooped by Keenan Brumfield and returned 38 yards for a touchdown. The touchdown extended the Nation Ford lead to 11, and Clover would be unable to further dent the margin.

“Everybody was bouncing. It was crazy. I looked at the stands, and there was just energy everywhere. It was nice,” said Tuipulotu of the play. “It was a great play by Keenan, to (get the) scoop and score.”

Clover’s Garrett Miller completed 23-of-34 throws for 312 yards and a touchdown. Lakin rushed 16 times for 54 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman defensive back Josh Marr recorded two picks for the Blue Eagles.